Month: August 2019

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday | Books I’ve Read That I’d Like In My Personal Library

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Hello Lovelies! I know I’m a little behind on my TTT posts, but I just have been SOOO busy lately. Between classes, family stuff, finding time to read, and moving, I just haven’t had the time to blog as much as I would like to. I’ve been trying to get back, but by the time I’m done with everything and finally have some free time, I just want to read a book I’ve been dying to or catch up on a TV show that I am behind on. There is just never enough time to do everything!

Anyways, today’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is Books I’ve Read That I’d Like In My Personal Library. Luckily for me, I have a lot of books that I have read that I am dying to get in physical copy. But between the money they cost, the different editions of each book, some being published by an author in a different country, and just not being able to choose which one to buy when I do have extra money to do so,I haven’t bought the following books for one reason or another. These are in no particular order:

1. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔

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2. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

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3. 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

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4. 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

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5. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

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6. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑱𝒆𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚

Image result for the black jewels trilogy

7. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒚 𝑾𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

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8. 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

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9. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒊𝒓𝒅/𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

Image result for the ghost bird series

10. 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔

Image result for the new species series

After making this list, I have come to realize that it is going to take me FOREVER to get all these books… But I will remain hopeful! I just love all of these series so much and I live for any chance I get to just add one installment to my shelf!

Anyways, thank you for joining me on Top Ten Tuesday. I hope you enjoyed reading this list as much as I did creating it! What are some books you have read that you are dying to put on your shelf?

Also, if you did a TTT post, feel free to leave a link to it down below so I can check yours out!

~𝒜𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓂𝓃 💕

Extra, Fae Crate Unboxings, Uncategorized

Fae Crate Unboxing | Power Up (July 2019)

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Screenshot_2019-06-11 Fae Crate - Let's live a thousand live together

Hello Lovelies! I’m back with another unboxing of my favorite subscription box, Fae Crate. These boxes are the highlight of my month and I could not love the items more! I hope you enjoy this month’s unboxing as much as I did!

July’s Theme:

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Let’s start off with this month’s theme which was Power Up! I’m not gonna lie, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to like this month’s box. You see, the entire thing was based on Superheroes/Villains. Well, anyone that knows me knows that I have never been into that kind of thing so I was really leery of buying this box. Especially considering all of the fandoms listed to be in this box were ones that I wasn’t a part of.

Alas, despite my better judgement, I bought the box… and I am SOOOO glad I did! This box had some of my favorite items that I have ever gotten in it and one of the prettiest books I have ever seen!

The Box Itself:

For those that haven’t seen my previous unboxings, this is what the box looks like. It’s beautiful isn’t it?!

I just love everything about this book and the way it looks. The color and logo fit the company perfectly, the *CAUTION: magic inside* lid is absolutely adorable, and the sides that have the company slogan which say, “Let’s live a thousand lives together” just warms my heart.

The Items in the Box:

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Renegades Sorting Candle ~ Not only is this item great on its own, but it is extra special to me because it is the first ever bookish candle in my collection!! I was SO excited when I heard that this candle was going to be included, not only because of what it is, but because it is an extra special candle!

Based on the color of the candle when lit, it sorts you into either one of two categories: Blue for Renegades and Red for Anarchists. Unfortunately, because of the glare from the flame, my candle looks red, but it was actually blue!

The only thing better than it being a sorting candle was its scent! It is cherry and almond scented and let me tell you… I. AM. IN. LOVE!!! It just smells SOOOOO good!!!

The only thing bad is that I haven’t read this series yet! So I don’t even know what Anarchists or Renegades are… Which side is good and which side is bad? Please let me know in the comments!

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Steelheart Lanyard ~ If I hadn’t just got the prefect lanyard during Fae Crate’s past item sale, I would have definitely been using this item! I just love lanyards so much and the wording on it is so cool! It says, “WHERE THERE ARE VILLAINS, THERE WILL BE HEROES.” Ahhh!!! I just love that line so much!!!

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XL Lunar Chronicles Pouch ~ *sighs dreamily* Who wouldn’t love this pouch?!?! It is just so beautiful!!! And the saying on it just cracks me up! It says, “Still holding out for that reward money” which I am told is a Thorne quote in the book Cress. I haven’t gotten to that installment yet so I’m not sure, but that sounds like Thorne and I will love this bag regardless!

When I say extra large, I am not kidding! This is the biggest pouch I have ever seen! I mean it’s bigger than my purse! There are just so many things I could use it for that my head is spinning.

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Hero Pop Socket ~ If it wasn’t for the candle, this would probably be my favorite item in this box! Not only is it special because it is my first pop socket, but it is also a reversal of one of my favorite quotes ever, “Every villain is the hero of their own story”!! It is just so perfect!

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Mystery Hero Cord Protector ~ This is the only item in this box that I didn’t like. From my understanding, everyone got a random cord protector put in their box. I don’t know who mine is supposed to be, but I’m not going to end up using it either way. I ended up just giving it to my younger brother.

Monthly Polaroid and Coin:

For those that don’t know, each month Fae Crate has a monthly Polaroid picture that they include and (starting last month) a monthly coin. These are exclusive to each month and you cannot get them again. Fae Crate announces what the Polaroid is to look like and what fandom the coin is going to be from on their Instagram. I highly encourage you to check them out so you can decide if you want a box before they sell out!

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Carry On Polaroid ~ Anyone that is involved in the bookish community, regardless of if you have read this book (like me), knows about this ship. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Simon and Baz mentioned on someone’s favorite ships list. And after seeing this Polaroid, I can definitely see why! Look how adorable they are together!!

Young Elites Coin ~ I might not be a part of this fandom, but this has got to be my favorite coin yet! It is just SOOOO beautiful and, for those that don’t know, the rose happens to be my favorite flower so I was kind of destined to fall in love with this coin!

August’s Polaroid and Coin have already been announced. For those that want to know, they are:

  • August ~ King of Scars Polaroid and Percy Jackson Coin

Monthly Ebook Download:

Each month not only does Fae Crate include a hardcover book, but they also include a code so you can download a free ebook! The ebook for this month was Deviation by Christine Manzari. While it didn’t seem like my kind of book, I appreciate Fae Crate and the author’s gift anyways.

However, the download code was included on the back of this card which is just SO beautiful and I will be adding it to my bookish art wall:

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Book of the Month:

The Book of the Month was Collateral Damage by Taylor Simonds. The hardcover included in the box for this month was a Fae Crate exclusive which means that you can’t get it anywhere else! The cover for this book was more than just an exclusive cover though! This Fae Crate edition has:

  • Reversible Dust Jacket
  • Embossed Naked Book
  • Author letter printed inside
  • Signed bookplate.
  • FREAKING SPRAYED EDGES!!!

So in conclusion… THIS BOOK WAS FREAKIN’ AWESOME!!!

Thank you for joining me today! I had so much fun opening this box and talking about all of the bookish items inside! What about you? Do you subscribe to Fae Crate? Do you subscribe to any other monthly book boxes? What do you think of my unboxing and the items in this month’s box? Please let me know!

~𝒜𝓊𝓉𝓊𝓂𝓃 💕

Favorites, Reviews, Romance, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Storm and Fury (The Harbinger #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Goodreads | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

“A slow, heart-wrenching smile pulled at his lips. A real one, and it was the kind of smile that could break hearts and rebuild them.”

MAJOR SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
After reading The Darkest Star last year, I didn’t think that I could love a JLA book more or love a spin-off of hers as much as that one… BUT. HOLY. CRAP. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! It has got to be Jennifer’s best so far! I just couldn’t put it down for the life of me and I was hooked from the very first chapter! I was practically fan-girling the whole time because I just love this universe and I have been hoping to get more books in it for years! It was just everything I was hoping it would be and much more!

Trinity- How can anyone not love Trinity? She is just such a badass while also having that emotional side that makes her so easy to connect to. Learning about her (and Jennifer’s) retinitis pigmentosa absolutely broke my heart to read about and it only made me admire her character more!

Zayne- OHHHHH…. Zayne… *sighs dreamily* I loved him in The Dark Elements series and this book made me (impossibly) love him more! He is just so kind and caring and sweet and loving and perfect and… you get the point. Where can I find a guy like him? Because I swear they just aren’t made like that anymore.

Misha- I have to say, I never saw the Misha twist coming… so bravo Jennifer! I really liked Misha right until the end and his betrayal was just that much more shocking because of it.

Peanut- I’m not gonna lie, Peanut kind of annoyed me at different points in the book BUT I did enjoy his banter with Trinity most of the time and I value his character. I’m really curious to see what role he will play in the future books.

Roth & Layla- I have to say, we got a lot more of Roth and Layla than I thought we were going to. I assumed we would just see them pop their heads in here and there throughout the series, but I was so wrong. They played a big role in this book and I am just so thankful for that. I loved seeing how they were and that scene where Roth saw Bambi again just gave me so many feels! I am looking forward to seeing more of them in the coming books.

The End/The Protector Switch Twist: About two pages before it happened, I realized where this book was going. I realized that this whole book was just a set up for the real story to come and that Jennifer’s signature forbidden romance was about to kick in to full gear… and that was when my heart was officially broke. I just ship Zayne and Trinity SOOOO much and I thought they had enough obstacles already, but NOOOO Jennifer just had to slap a Protector bond on top of everything else… Uhhhh… I’m in for a lot of angst, heart ache, and frustration in the future aren’t I?

SIDE NOTE: For those that don’t know, I had the wonderful privilege of meeting Jennifer last year and, at the time, I had no idea about her having RP. And let me tell you, I never would have known if she hadn’t said anything/released this book. She didn’t give any hint of it and, knowing what I know now, I could not admire her more. Jennifer doesn’t let her disease define her or make her less of a person, and I will always look up to her as a role model for that. I couldn’t love her or her writing more!

Overall, I highly enjoyed this book and I need the next one in my hands like yesterday!!! At least I have The Burning Shadow coming out in October to at least try to tide me over! *cries*

Fantasy, Reviews, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11) by Patricia Briggs

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Goodreads | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Synopsis:

In this powerful entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, Mercy Thompson must face a deadly enemy to defend all she loves…

My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter.

And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn’t stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word.

We will die to keep it.

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“My old pastor liked to say that church is a hospital for the sick, not a mausoleum for the saints.”

MAJOR SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
This book was a giant let down. I don’t know if it’s because I had been hyping the book up in my head for the past two years, if I have just fallen out of love with this series, or if it was just not a good book, but for some reason or another, this book just fell flat.

While the plot moved fast, I constantly found myself bored and not attached to what was happening in any way. I think the main reason for this is because I am a very character driven person and this book was honestly 80% plot and 20% characters. There were very few moments where I was genuinely connected with what was happening. The only scenes that really made me smile or feel happy was the Adam and Mercy scenes which, to be honest, I have to say that I kind of prefer Adam’s character to Mercy’s?!

What I Liked- I liked the Elizaveta plot twist and her turning into a black witch was done really well. I also enjoyed the mini Paul redemption arc. That little scene really warmed my heart.

What I Didn’t Like- 1. Besides the stuff mentioned above, there wasn’t nearly enough Stefan in this book. I love him to pieces and Mercy’s problems with him right now is just overkill. 2. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read so many of these books, but the villains aren’t even scary any more. I didn’t think for one moment that Mercy and her friends would lose while I was reading this. Plus, all of the villains are really one-dimensional. They are wholly bad and uninteresting. Can’t we get a morally grey/multi-dimensional villain for once? 3. The fae meeting was such a let down. It was hyped up the whole book and I was SO interested in seeing the humans interact with the Gray Lords but it was literally mentioned briefly in a paragraph at the end! What is that?!?!

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. I don’t know if I will be continuing the series or not at this point. I guess it will just depend on what the next book is about.

Other Books in the Series:

 

Dark, Reverse Harem, Reviews, Romance

Stolen (Saving Setora #1) by Raven Dark & Petra J. Knox

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Goodreads | Amazon US

Synopsis:

It all began when the road warriors found me outside Hell’s Burning, lost and dehydrated. When the bikers took me into The Compound, I thought I was saved.

Especially when, as a Violet—a rare genetic anomaly prized above all—I’m taken in and raised by one of the wealthiest men in the world. Educated and groomed by the best teachers money could buy, I mistakenly thought he had a great future planned for me, one in which I’d be cared for and cherished.

I was wrong.

For centuries, women have been sold as slaves. In my 18th year, my benefactor reveals a truth that shatters my world. I’m to be put on display before the wealthiest of society at one of the biggest auctions this world has ever seen…as a slave.

But that night at the auction, something goes wrong. I am stolen by members of the infamous Dark Legion, a road warrior crew feared the world over. Torn from the only world I have ever known, now I have not one master, but four.

I shouldn’t want these dangerous, deadly men with their leather cuts and their growling bikes, but the deeper my captors draw me into their dark and twisted world, the more I crave what they do to me. They stole me from a powerful man who’ll stop at nothing to get me back. If I don’t find a way to escape soon, my new masters might just steal my heart.

***Stolen is Book One of the Saving Setora series, a dark, dystopian Reverse Harem romance with biker tones. There is no cheating, and the final book ends with an HEA for Setora and her four men. This full length novel contains triggering elements and four twisted heroes who know how to own a woman right.

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This book…. oh this book… It had SOOO much potential and the authors could have done so much with the story. Unfortunately, the way they decided to go was all wrong.

You see, I’m trying not to completely rant and be mean to the authors with this review. So with that being said, all I’m going to say is that I did not like this book. At all. I found the main male interests to be highly abusive, sadistic, and Setora’s relationship was unbelievably unhealthy. To illustrate how messed up her relationship with them was, I am going to share this quote:

“My masters were monsters, but they were my monsters, and they’d protect me from far, far worse ones.”

After reading that quote, do I really need to give any other evidence to show how wrong these men were for Setora? I am a hopeless romantic and I let a lot of things slide when it comes to morally grey male characters, but this book pushed even ME over the edge. I just can’t do it and I will definitely not be continuing the series.

Dark, Fantasy, Favorites, Reviews

Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) by Jay Kristoff

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Goodreads | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Synopsis:

In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.

Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.

Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves.

Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

“You’ll be a rumor. A whisper. The thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. The last thing you will ever be, girl, is someone’s hero… But you will be a girl heroes fear.”

MAJOR SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
There are no words that I can use to describe the masterpiece that is this book. It enthralled me from the very first page and would not let me go. I would sit it down and I would find myself unable to concentrate on anything because all I could think about was this book! This is truly one of those books that haunts your every thought and you are never the same after reading. It is that remarkable and beautifully written.

Mia- I just love Mia so much. Every time I thought that she was doing something stupid or I thought she was falling for a clear trap, Mia would completely turn things around when I least expected it. There were many times when her plans were revealed and I was shocked to my core!

Mr. Kindly- I LOVE HIM SO MUCH AND I WANT A CAT LIKE HIM. WHERE CAN I GET ONE!!??

Tric- I really enjoyed Tric’s character and his relationship with Mia. I loved how he was always looking out for her and the banter between them was one of my favorite parts of the book. I will miss him very much.

Ashlinn- The plot twist with Ash and her brother was one of the most shocking reveals I have ever read. I just sat the book down and stared off into space for ten minutes trying to compute it in my brain because I was that thrown. I just don’t even know what to think anymore… Is Ash good or bad? She clearly didn’t want to kill Mia at the end until Mia forced her hand. And what about the obvious regret Ash feels at the start of that chapter in her POV? Does she have feelings for Mia?

The Red Church- I loved anything and everything about The Red Church. Their inner workings and the power structure just fascinated me and I’m really sad that it looks like that part of Mia’s life is going to end.

Overall, I obviously highly enjoyed this book and I will be continuing the series! I need to know what happens next like I need air!!!

**P.S. I just want to take a moment to thank the person that really convinced me to read this series: Piera Forde. Without her channel and her continuous praise of this book, I honestly don’t believe I would have read it and I wouldn’t have fallen in love with it like I did.**

Other Books in the Series:

5 🍁s ~ Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2) by Jay Kristoff

Dark, Fantasy, Favorites, Reviews

Godsgrave (The Nevernight Chronicle #2) by Jay Kristoff

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Goodreads | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Synopsis:

A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

Set in the world of Nevernight, which Publishers Weekly called “absorbing in its complexity and bold in its bloodiness,” Godsgrave will continue to thrill and satisfy fantasy fans everywhere.

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

“She’d grown up inside books. No matter how dark life became, shutting out the hurt was as easy as opening a cover. A child of murdered parents and a failed rebellion, she’d still walked in the boots of scholars and warriors, queens and conquerors.

The heavens grant us only one life, but through books, we live a thousand.”

WHAT JUST HAPPENED???? Can you tell me? Because I sure as hell don’t know! One minute, I was happy and I thought I had a tentative idea of what this story was about, and then Jay Kristoff just goes and writes this book… which rocked my entire world. I just can’t wrap my head around this book or any of the events that happened in the last 50 pages. My brain is just fried from that many plot twists back to back and my heart is in pieces…. Help me! I need the next book like yesterday and I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!?!

Other Books in the Series:

5 🍁s ~ Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicle #1) by Jay Kristoff